A Cuban woman who migrated to Austria without documents, without speaking German and at the age of fifty, shared on TikTok three lessons about money that, according to her, transformed her economic life in Europe from scratch.
Yamilka, known on the platform as @yamilka.emprende, posted a 47-second video this Wednesday in which she summarizes what she has learned about personal finance in one of the countries with the highest cost of living on the continent. Her content is particularly aimed at Cuban and Latino emigrants facing similar barriers: without documentation, without language, and without a support network.
His first lesson is straightforward: "Expecting the system to assist you is a waste of time." For thousands of Cubans arriving in Europe without legal status, this warning is particularly relevant. In Austria, working without a residence permit is illegal and can result in fines of up to 30,000 euros for employers and the risk of deportation for the worker, according to the updated Austrian Foreigners Act as of January 2026.
Despite this restrictive legal framework, many emigrants find ways to earn income in sectors such as hospitality, cleaning, caregiving, or agriculture while regularizing their immigration status. Cubans account for approximately 2,500 asylum applications annually in Austria, with an approval rate of 18% in 2025, according to Eurostat.
The second lesson from Yamilka focuses on the entrepreneurial mindset: "There is always a way to generate income if you know where to look." Those who lack access to traditional banks due to a lack of documentation often turn to money transfer companies to manage their finances, according to studies from the Inter-American Development Bank. The informal economy, though precarious, has served as an economic entry point for many Cuban emigrants in Europe.
The third lesson may be the most universal: "The biggest mistake is not starting out of fear." Yamilka presents this as the main obstacle that holds back those in similar situations to what she experienced upon arriving in Austria. The economic reality in Europe is also not straightforward once the situation is regularized: a Cuban bricklayer in Spain earns between 1,200 and 1,300 euros monthly, an amount that is quickly consumed by rent, utilities, and basic expenses, where food alone can cost between 300 and 400 euros per person per month.
His personal story strongly supports the message. "I started with nothing from Austria, not speaking German, at fifty years old; if I could do it, you can too."
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